WINS ALL HEARTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20065, 11 October 1939, Page 12

WINS ALL HEARTS

QUEEN ELIZABETH A GREAT PERSONALITY FULL OF UNDERSTANDING 3 CAPITALS CONQUERED As the royal carriage passed I understood why Canada and the United States went crazy over our Queen, writes Elissa St. John, the well-known writer on British Royalty, following the Royal couple's return to London from their tour of Canada and tlie United States. It wasn’t because of her fine clothes or the pearls around her neck. It wasn’t even her lovely colouring. It was her radiance. As she passed, you felt that she was delighted at seeing you, that she welcomed you, that nothing pleased her more than seeing you shouting yourself hoarse in that crowded street. When she drives, Her Majesty does not look straight in front of her, nor docs she give stiff bows like some Royalty; she looks around. You see her smiling up at a crowded roof lop or at a little boy who has scrambled through a policeman's legs. Queen Elizabeth is that rarity—a great personality. But there is nothing dogmatic or harsh about her as is the case with many individual characters. She is gracious, humorous and full of understanding. Like the King, she has courage. Both the King and Queen have needed their courage during the past year or two. When they came to the Throne they were almost an unknown couple. The nation was upset by the abdication and the newcomers were looked upon rather warily. Won The Day And gradually the King’s courage and manliness and the Queen's charm won the day. The British people know they have a King and Queen they could love and honour and. who would love and honour them in return. In ’France, in Canada and _in America, Their Majesties had a difficult task. In each of these countries although the Royal visit was regarded, in prospect, with enthusiasm, that enthusiasm was polite. Until the King and Queen arrived. Then politeness was flung, as hats were flung, up in the air as the King and Queen waved and smiled —and conquered. In all three capitals the verdict was “never have wc seen such enthusiasm, such excitement.” Sophisticated New York Perhaps it was most amazing the way sophisticated New York took our little Queen to their hearts. For in this city the King and Queen had to override the rather hostile feeling created by the insistence on etiquette by the forerunners of the Royal visit. But this was all swept away and th'e general feeling was voiced by one American who said to the King “we’ll forget your war debt if you’ll leave us your Queen.”' Not only has the Queen charm in manner, but she has the art of conversation at her fingertips. Those who met her in America were very impressed by this, especially the reporters who will wisecrack with anyone. Thev found they had met t-heir match in the Queen and often more than their match in the King. Good Memory Her Majesty has the happy gift of remembrance. She demonstrated this at a very early hge. When she was only three she delighted the factor who had been on her father’s estate for over 40 years, by remarking, “Why, I have not seen you looking so well" for years and years, but I am sure you will be sorry to hear that my father has toothache”. Those who have known the Queen for many years realise that her present self-possession has not been easy to achieve. Although since childhood she has possessed a natural dignity she is by nature retiring. She would enjoy meeting a stranger quietly, when she could find out all about him—or her —but to meet a crowd of strangers was not an easy thing for her to do. But when —so unexpectedly—her husband came to the Throne, she knew that she must overcome this shyness, And she did not take the easy course and find refuge behind attendant pomp and ceremony. Rather she and her husband seemed to make an effort and break through this etiquette and really get to know the people they rule. Understands Suffering When the Queen visits a hospital, she does not just open the new wing andSaccept the bouquet gracefully, but visits the patients, asking them how they are and trying her best to cheer them up. For Her Majesty understands suffering. She has led no soft and pampered life. She was brought up simply, the last one of 10 children. On her fourteenth birthday the Great War broke out. These war years taught the young girl much. Glamis Castle, her home, was turned into a military hospital and at the age when most girls lead a sheltered life in the schoolroom the Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was frequently helping her mother, the Countess of Strathmore, with the wounded soldiers. She was the unofficial "cheerer-up” of the wo’undcd men who came to her home to be nursed. Another example of her wonderful memory is that m Canada she recognised one of the disabled soldiers who had been a patient in Glamis Castle. Wife and Mother Perhaps one of the things that endears the Queen to the British people is the fact that she is not only a beloved Queen but also a beloved wife and .mother. The little Princesses look their happiest when they are accompanying their mother and father. And even on public appearances the King and Queen snatch every opportunity their good manners permit them, to talk to one another. We have just witnessed the triumph of a Queen When nations are being conquered hv force we have seen three or flic greatest conquered by a smile. We have much for which to thank our Queen. Wc trusted her to represent us in the New World. And now we shall ever be in her debt.